Pride Month Movie at Malden Public Library: “Gen Silent”

The Malden Public Library in conjunction with the City of Malden, Ward 5 Councillor Ari Taylor, the City of Malden’s of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program and the Malden Pride Coalition will have a special screening of “Gen Silent” in honor of Pride Month (June). On Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m., the library will show this important documentary about LGBTQIA+ elders and the hurdles they face as they navigate later life care and medical concerns. “Gen Silent” follows the lives of six seniors in and around Boston who are trying to navigate aging and care in a system that is, reportedly, sometimes hostile or not equipped to embrace and support their needs. See this film and share your perspectives with the community.

Elder care is an issue that each of us will have to face in some form. But, reportedly, for our queer elders that can be even more daunting. SAGE Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders provides some startling figures facing the community: “53% of LGBTQ+ older people report feeling isolated from others. 65% of older transgender respondents felt there would be limited access to care as they aged… 55% from the same 2015 national survey feared they would be denied medical treatment. 70% of LGBTQ+ elders fear having to ‘re-closet’ themselves when seeking elder housing. 41% of LGBTQ+ older people report having a disability, compared to 35 percent of heterosexual older adults.” With these figures it is essential to have conversations around what we can do to better support people in our neighborhood, family and systemically through government support.

Following the screening there will be a discussion and light refreshments. Representatives from Mystic Valley Elder Services and the Wicked Queer film festival will join the discussion. And for those who wish to learn more about services available for themselves and elders in their community, there will be an information table with materials from local organizations and a book list for further reading.